Canadian University of Alberta Student Participation in Higher Education Institution Governance

Abstract

The article explores the process of involving Alberta university students in higher education institution governance. The article emphasizes that students are able to manage their affairs independently, satisfy their diverse needs and protect their political rights and interests. It has been proven that Canadian university of Alberta students are actively involved in academic and administrative decision-making process that is significant for university functioning. This article reveals the formal decision making bodies of the University of Alberta, student organizations as a whole and especially two major student organizations – the Students` Union and the Graduate Student Association, which represent the undergraduate and graduate student on campus. The main formal decision making bodies of Alberta University are the Board of Governors and the General Faculties Council. Among other formal bodies of all levels there are the Senate, the Dean`s Council, Dean`s advisory committees, and some department committees. These decision making bodies include members of academic and support staff, administrators, representatives of the general public, undergraduate and graduate students, especially senior ones. The article recalls that two primary functions of each student organization are to protect student interests and to promote the welfare of students. It has been emphasized that student representatives sit on almost all governing bodies of Alberta University, taking part in university policy making and in administering university affairs, including student affairs. This article highlights student involvement in university governing bodies and student motivation for participating in university governance. Among most common student motivation factors are desire to serve other students, social reasons, influence of parents and friends, wish to improve university governance and to gain their own experience. Decision areas from which students are excluded have been noticed. It has been stressed that student roles in decision making on university committees depend on each individual student participant. Some students act as colleagues, some as watchdogs, some as leaders in discussions or debates, but large number of students are only information providers. Informal strategies used by students in order to influence university governance, include their media, a radio station, two student newspapers, caucuses, training programs which have played important roles in helping them to attain their objectives.